Advocating celebration of the World Heritage Week on a grand scale, Jammu and Kashmir Culture Minister Priya Sethi today said special programs should be organised during the week to spread awareness among people about the famous heritage sites in the state.
"The celebration of the World Heritage Week would be held on a grand scale from November 19-25. Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its heritage sites and during the week special programs should be organised to spread awareness among masses about these sites," Sethi told reporters here.
She said during the celebrations special focus should be laid on the involvement of children and younger generations so that they learn about the rich heritage of the state.
"During the week, we should showcase our rich heritage and architectural marvels, and spread awareness about these sites. We should also encourage people to join hands in their conservation," she added.
Directing all Deputy Commissioners to organise events at the district level, the Minister said advisory has already been issued in this regard.
She said special cleanliness drives, heritage walks and illumination of heritage sites should be organised by involving Tourism, Culture, Education, Urban Development and other concerned departments.
She also called upon the organisers to involve local MLAs, MLCs, public personalities, prominent members of civil society, leaders, educationists and other prominent public figures in the celebrations.
She appealed to all the sections of the society, including pilgrims, to participate in and experience the rich cultural heritage of the state.
"Starting November 19, the celebrations would begin with
the launch of the cleanliness drive at Heritage Complex Dewana Mandir and Heritage Complex Mubarak Mandi, and similar celebrations would also be held at Srinagar and Leh," she added.
She said all heritage buildings in the state, including SPS Museum, Srinagar, Ranbir Library, Chamba Statue, Leh, Heritage Complex Dewana Mandir and Mubarak Mandi, Bhimagarh Garh Fort, Reasi, Poonch Fort, Amar Singh College, Srinagar, GGM Science College, Jammu, should be properly illuminated during the week.
She said manuscripts, heritage photos, exhibitions, antiquities, instruments and coins would be displayed at Army Headquarters, Mubarak Mandi, Jammu and rare books and paintings would be displayed at Ranbir Library and SPS Library, Srinagar.
Heritage awareness programmes, symposium, slogan writing competition and painting competitions would be organised at various education institutions on November 20, she said.
On November 21, ethnic food presentation would be made at FCI, Bhagwati Nagar and from November 22-25, cultural programmes would be organised, she said.
On November 22, Heran dance, Geetru and Chajja would be presented at Bahu Fort, on November 23, Chingaar, Gadgail would be presented at Bahu Fort and Bhand Pathar would be organised at famous tourist destination of Pahalgam on the same day, she added.
A heritage walk would also be organised on November 23 from Mubarak Mandi to Ranbir Higher Secondary School. On November 24, Phumniya, Bhagtiya would be organised at Bahu Fort and traditional fold music event would be organised at Leh.
On November 25, Bhand Theatre would be organised at Badam Wari, Srinagar and nature heritage walk would be held at Manda.
The concluding function 'Darpan-e-Riyasat' would be held on November 26 at Jammu University.
